Everybody is buzzing about Sacramento. And it’s not just a response over Lady Bird, the Oscar-nominated debut film written about and set in Sacramento by Sac native Greta Gerwig, that has everyone talking.

Sacramento is shaking off its preconceived notions of a sleepy government town and has become a true destination in its own right. The City recently ranked as one of the top 25 best big cities to live in and the fastest growing city in California; Sacramento is the most-popular in-state destination for people making the mass exodus from the Bay Area.

While Sacramento is changing in exciting and innovative ways, it is, at its heart, a city of character, history, and community.

Below are 7 game-changing reasons that now is the time to make the move to Sacramento.

1. Sacramento is an Up and Coming Food Destination

From its agricultural roots to the innovative cuisine of up and coming chefs, Sacramento is the ultimate destination for foodies and fans of quality, local fare.

America’s Farm-to-Fork Capital

Farm-to-Fork is more than a trend in Sacramento; it’s a way of life. So much so that the City updated its slogan in 2017 to America’s Farm-to-Fork Capital.

The Sacramento region is unique in its agricultural geography. Enjoying an ideal climate for a year-round growing season allows regional chefs to create dishes from locally grown, freshly harvested produce, putting Sacramento at the very heart of the healthy, seasonal eating movement that is taking hold across California.

The main tenant behind the Farm-to-Fork concept is sourcing locally grown food that is freshly harvested, which for restaurants means planning their menus around what is available from nearby farms based on the season.

Many Sacramento restaurateurs are in close contact with local organic farms, visiting regularly to sample what is in season when planning their ever-changing menus. Buyers for the biggest restaurants mingle through local farmers markets with busy moms and home-cooks, vying for Northern California-grown produce.

Restaurants

Home to many critically acclaimed restaurants, Sacramento chefs are finding themselves in good company with the best in the state.

From relatively newer successes, such as Magpie and Red Rabbit, to well-established pioneers of the Farm-to-Fork movement like The Waterboy, who opened their doors in 1996 and Selland Family-owned restaurants The Kitchen – recipient of a MICHELIN Star – and Ella, the restaurant scene in Sacramento continues to be on the upswing, putting us on the map as a foodie destination city.

2. Sacramento Libations

Good food isn’t the only thing Sacramento has to offer. The region also boasts plenty for wine and craft brew connoisseurs, as well.

Local Wineries

With several wineries located in the heart of Sacramento and many peppered throughout the surrounding foothills and farmlands, the Sacramento region is a central location for wine-lovers.

Sacramento Breweries

There are several tried and true breweries in Sacramento, with many newer and very noteworthy breweries taking root over the last few years. With a wide variety of options, you’re bound to find the beer for you, no matter your preference.

 

 

3. Local Culture

From theater to science exploration to historic experience, Sacramento has a vast and varied cultural scene for all to enjoy.

Performing Arts

The capital of California has long been known for its performing arts scene. The Sacramento Ballet, established in 1954, and the Sacramento Philharmonic & Opera, performing since 1948, have long been bringing dance and song to the stages of our city. Also home to a variety of theatre companies, including the Sacramento Theatre Company, California Musical Theatre, and B Street Theatre, the stage is always set for an entertaining evening.

Crocker Art Museum

Home to a vast and varied permanent collection, as well as host to rotating exhibits, the Crocker Art Museum has been central to culture and art in Sacramento since 1885. Expanded in 2010 to accommodate an ever-growing collection, the museum’s modern wing melds the old with the new.

Community-centered, the museum is host to a wide variety of events designed to educate and inspire Sacramentans and out-of-towners, alike.

The California Railroad Museum

With more than 600,000 paying visitors per year, the Railroad Museum, located on the riverfront in Old Sacramento, is one of the region’s largest tourism draws.

Visitors enjoy learning about the ingenuity and engineering that have made trains and railroad travel such an important part of California’s rich history.

Offering exciting events and impeccably fostered exhibits, as well as larger than life engine restorations, the California State Railroad Museum experience is one that you won’t want to miss.

The popularity of the State Railroad Museum has paved the way for an expansion: the Railroad Technology Museum.

Railroad Technology Museum
The Railroad Technology Museum is in the works in Sacramento. This unique museum of science, technology, and innovation will be located in the Central Shops district of The Sacramento Railyards.

The main galleries of the Railroad Technology Museum will feature dynamic, hands-on exhibits that highlight the past, showcase the present, and explore the future.

The Restoration Shop will be publicly accessible, continuing the work of artisans and craftspersons alike, while supporting Vocational Education training programs.

Commemorating Sacramento’s incredible railroad heritage, this museum will showcase the evolution of railroad technology.

Powerhouse Science Center
The historic PG&E Powerhouse building - recognized on the National Register of Historic Places - will soon be revitalized as the new Powerhouse Science Center.

Just a fifteen minute walk up the bike trail from the California State Railroad Museum, the New Powerhouse Science Center will incorporate the Robert T. Matsui Waterfront Park, creating a new campus right on the riverfront.

The Powerhouse Science Center will serve as a model for modern experiential education centers in science, technology, engineering, math, and space.

4. Entertainment Venues

When it comes to entertainment, Sacramento isn’t messing around.

Raley Field

Home to minor league team The River Cats, Raley Field is host to riverfront baseball games and concerts. The stadium has an ideal location, right across Tower Bridge from historic Old Sacramento, as well as nearby hotels and restaurants.

Golden One Center

Located in downtown Sacramento, the Golden One Center, home to the Sacramento Kings, is a state of the art venue that features cutting-edge technology. Whether taking in a game or attending a concert, they’re sure to put on a good show.

The Barn

Not technically in Sacramento, but located in West Sac near Raley Field, The Barn is a new indoor/ outdoor venue designed to couple a permanent food service operation with seasonal events.

This architecturally unique structure is sculptural, looking like a bridge on land, and is host to a wide variety of events. From music festivals to charitable events, there is always something fun afoot at The Barn.

5. Employment Opportunities

As the State Capital of California, Sacramento has long been thought of as a “government” town. But many private industries in the region have been expanding and thriving, and there are plenty of employment opportunities from high-tech to healthcare, home care, and more.

Kaiser is bringing a 1.3 million square foot Kaiser Permanente Medical Center campus to The Railyards development, which will bring in thousands of jobs in the healthcare industry alone.

From health care services to computer software engineers to construction workers, truck drivers, and statisticians, there’s plenty of opportunity in the fastest growing industries over the next ten years in Sacramento.

6. A Focus on Green Living

Project planning with an eye toward the future, Sacramento is thinking green and rising to the challenge of constructing for a renewable tomorrow.

The guiding vision for the Sacramento 2035 General Plan is that Sacramento will be “the most liveable city in America.” This plan calls for Sacramento to be a model of sustainable development in its planning, its use of urban heat island reduction measures, and its conservation of energy, water, and other natural resources.

One way Sacramento is prioritizing sustainable development is focusing on urban infill projects. Sacramento has significant areas of vacant and/or underutilized land and is focusing on developing these areas.

The Sacramento Railyards is one of the nation’s largest infill development projects. It is transforming 244-acres of unused, historically significant land into a thriving, mixed-use urban community that will double the size of downtown Sacramento and redefine the region. This new community will promote resource conservation, economic prosperity, and social equity.

Infill developments can improve transportation systems, protect the environment, and revitalize communities. And infill development is crucial to meeting the housing needs of a growing community.

7. Proximity to All Things California

Valley, hills, deserts, beaches, mountains, and more: you name it, California’s got it. Living in Sacramento means have equal access to all of this and, really, what more could you want?

Riverfront Living

Located at the nexus of the American and Sacramento Rivers, Sacramento is surrounded by scenic waterways and nature trails. Whether by bike or by kayak, endless adventures await along these beautiful rivers.

The development of The Railyards will be opening up urban access to the historic downtown riverfront in new and exciting ways.

Access to the Foothills

A short drive will take you into the foothills of the Sierra Nevada where adventure abounds. From outdoor sports opportunities to historic gold mining towns to shopping and more, there is no end to the weekend experiences you and your family can enjoy.

A Day Trip to Sand and Snow

In the mood to beach comb or snowboard? No matter. From Sacramento, you are less than two hours away from both the Sierra Nevada mountain range and the coast.

Sacramento locals enjoy the distinct advantage of reaching mountains or ocean in the same, short amount of time, truly opening up a wealth of varied adventure opportunities.

From food to entertainment, culture to community, employment to adventure, the question isn’t “why is now the time to make the move to Sacramento?” The question is why not?